It was not that long ago that the college basketball world basically yawned at the accomplishments of the Gonzaga Bulldogs. In 2015-16, they won 26 games, took a West Coast Conference title, and earned just a #11 seed in the NCAA tournament for their effort. In 2016-17, they only lost one game the whole regular season, earning a #1 seed in the tournament and made it to the finals, where they went down to North Carolina. The idea that Gonzaga was still a mid-major seems finally to have passed, as they have earned a #4 seed, a #1 seed and what would have been a #1 seed in the last three seasons, the Bulldogs have gained acceptance as a national power in men’s basketball. Could this year’s edition be even better than the 31-2 squad from a year ago?
Take a look as you consider your college basketball betting strategy for men’s college basketball this year.
NCAA News: Season Preview — #1 Gonzaga
Most teams would not be able to sustain the loss of a top player such as Filip Petrusev. However, all that means is that the Gonzaga depth will emerge. Drew Timme, the sixth man a year ago, will slide into the starting lineup, and it also means that Gonzaga won’t have to deal with the possible awkwardness of putting Timme and Petrusev on the floor together, as having both big men on the floor at the same time could have made the defense less than ideal. For example, in 2019-20, the two were together on the floor for 550 possessions, according to the analysis of Hooplens.com, and Gonzaga’s play suffered — but just a bit. When Timme and Corey Kispert were on the floor, though, the team was significantly better than normal. The same was true when Timme and Anton Watson were together and in the game.
Timme is now a sophomore, ranked as the #10 center and the #43 prospect overall according to the 247Sports Composite. He was a reserve as a freshman but still averaged 9.8 points and 5.4 boards per game. His per-40-minute averages were 19.1 points, 10.5 boards, 2.5 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.0 steals, showing his quality. He shot 61.8 percent from the field overall and 68.6 percent at the rim.
This year, of course, his touches will go up thanks to Petrusev’s departure, and if his efficiency can remain consistent, he should be one of the top names in the sport. If you add to this the rumor that he has added to his mid-range jumper, his numbers could be ridiculous.
Corey Kispert can play the three or the four, and at 6’7” he has the size to move inside — and he also has the quick shooting release and accuracy to move outside. In 33 games, he knocked down 78 three-pointers at a 43.8 percent clip. He could get closer to 100 three-balls this year, but he can also attack closeouts. He put up 13.9 points per game in 2019-20 and was in the 97th percentile for ball handlers in the pick and roll.
Joel Ayayi returns as a secondary creator who can crash the rim with the ball, making him an ideal fit in that motion offense. He also knows how to work the pick and roll, and he can crash the glass. He needs to improve his defense, and if he could become the shutdown defender at the perimeter, then Gonzaga would be even more difficult to pick apart. Ayayi moved to the starting five after Gonzaga lost to Michigan, and he was a major factor in the 23-1 run that ensued next. He did have a three-game slump that led to a one-game benching, but after that he came back with a 12-point, 8-board and 4-assist night.
Freshman Jalen Suggs and graduate transfer Aaron Cook come in to join Ayayi in the backcourt. Suggs is the highest ranked recruit who has ever signed with the Bulldogs, as the #2 combo guard and the #11 overall prospect out of high school. He is a big point guard who is clearly in town for one year before he heads to the NBA. It won’t be surprising, though, if he’s cutting down nets in Indianapolis next spring on his way out.
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